Hi there!
I’m a woman in my fifties, living in Italy partly by choice… and partly by accident.
After years spent in Poland, Greece, Cyprus and Scotland, I ended up in Apulia with Mauro — my Italian partner.
I love off-the-beaten-path places, mountains, nature, good food (not so much cooking it), and discovering the real Italy — beautiful, chaotic, sometimes absurd, always fascinating.
I only write about places I’ve actually visited. No sugarcoating, no pretending.
If you enjoy Italy Off Path, you’re in the right place.
Latest posts
Molise in January: How to Spend 2 Winter Days in Italy’s Smallest Region
Who visits Molise in January? Almost no one. And that’s a mistake. In just two days, I found mountains without crowds, waterfalls glowing turquoise against bare winter trees, and villages that look like fairytales—or ghost towns. Here’s what 2 days in January looked like.
Off the Beaten Path in Abruzzo: From Fara San Martino to Grotta del Cavallone
I’ve probably mentioned a hundred times that I love Abruzzo, so I was really happy to be back on another trip there. This time it was short – just two days — but still better than nothing. We stayed in a huge apartment in Fara San Martino.
Home Restaurant da Elisa in Palombaro – The Weirdest Dinner in a Stranger’s Living Room in Abruzzo.
Sometimes it’s good when your partner (like Mauro) is picky
Ravenna Travel guide: A Day Among Mosaics and Quiet Streets
I went to Ravenna by chance. The only thing I knew about it was that it was located in the Emilia-Romagna region.
Even though the weather was bad, Ravenna seemed to be a very elegant city. I think it’s a good adjective to describe the town. It’s also a popular tourist destination, not only among Italians.
Procida Island, Italy – What to See, Do, and Eat (and Why It’s No Longer a Secret)
Ten years after my first visit, I returned to Procida — the colourful island off Naples and the lesser-known sister of the famous Caprihat’s no longer a secret. Here’s how to get there, what to see, and why it’s still worth the trip.
The Orta River Trail and Cascata Bolognano – Easy Hike in Abruzzo
If it were up to me to send tourists to Italy, Abruzzo would be a must-see. Or maybe better not, because it would be full of people and trampled. And unfortunately, it seems that it is slowly becoming that way.
Nevertheless, there are still places where meeting a living soul, especially out of season, can be not so obvious.
Meeting Locals in Albania: Stories of Unexpected Kindness
I have to admit I went to Albania full of stereotypes and prejudices. Why? Well, it came from my experiences living in Greece – Albanians were a rather unpopular nation, and I didn’t have the best opinion of them either. Read on to find out if two weeks spent in Albania changed my opinion of the locals.
Where to Eat in Castelpetroso, Molise: Our Dinner at Donna Carmela
Where to eat in Castelpetroso might look like a mission impossible, as Molise is really small, so you might think there is no room for restaurants. But, surprisingly, there are a lot of places to eat, and some are hidden away in places you wouldn’t guess have a restaurant.
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